Vehicle braking system using stored vehicle parameters for electronic control of braking

Abstract

A compressed air operable wheeled trailer braking system includes a braking electronic control unit (ECU) having an electronically operable control valve which derives suitably proportioned load and vehicle speed dependent service brake pressure for brake chambers of the trailer wheeled. The braking ECU has a data memory storing specific braking parameters normally installed therein prior to commissioning the trailer. The trailer has a further diagnostic ECU responsive to vehicle operational sensors, the further ECU also having memory capacity. The specific braking parameters are stored via a communication link consequent upon installation thereof to the braking ECU. Upon recognizing installation of a replacement braking control unit, the parameters from the further ECU are installed in the replacement ECU.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A vehicle braking system including means operable to produce a signal indicative of vehicle loading, load responsive means responsive thereto and to a braking signal indicative of intended vehicle deceleration for controlling braking force produced by brake actuators of the vehicle, said load responsive means comprising a parameterisable electronic braking control unit with a main configuration memory for storing braking parameters particular to the vehicle for control of vehicle brake force according to vehicle loading wherein said system includes a further electronic storage memory wherein said braking parameters particular to the vehicle are permanently retainable and means operable to effect entry of said parameters from said further memory to the main configuration memory of an unparameterised electronic braking control unit. 
     
     
       2. A vehicle braking system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said further electronic storage memory is a memory of a further electronic control unit. 
     
     
       3. A vehicle braking system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said further electronic control unit has a paramneterisable main memory storing parameters particular to further functions relating to operation of the vehicle. 
     
     
       4. A vehicle braking system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said electronic braking control unit is provided also with additional electronic storage memory permanently retaining parameters particular to one or more said further functions the system further including means to effect entry of one or more said further parameters from said additional storage memory to a said parameterisable memory of said further electronic control unit. 
     
     
       5. A vehicle braking system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein a data communication link between said electronic control units is operable to signify one to each within the system that said entry of parameters is validly possibly and required to parameterise a respective said parameterisable main memory. 
     
     
       6. A vehicle braking system as in  claim 1  wherein the braking system is a compressed air system. 
     
     
       7. A trailer vehicle braking system including means operable to produce a signal indicative of vehicle loading, load responsive means responsive thereto and to a braking signal indicative of intended vehicle deceleration for controlling braking force produced by brake actuators of the vehicle, said load responsive means comprising a main parameterisable electronic braking control unit with a main configuration memory for storing braking parameters particular to the vehicle for control of vehicle brake force according to vehicle loading a further electronic control unit including a configuration memory storing parameters particular to management of the vehicle and also a further electronic storage memory wherein said braking parameters particular to the vehicle are also permanently retainable and means operable to effect entry of said parameters from said further electronic memory to the main configuration memory of another unparameterised electronic braking control unit when substituted for said main unit. 
     
     
       8. A trailer vehicle braking system as in  claim 7  wherein the braking system is a compressed air system. 
     
     
       9. A trailer vehicle braking system including means operable to produce a signal indicative of vehicle loading, load responsive means responsive thereto and to a braking signal indicative of intended vehicle deceleration for controlling braking force produced by brake actuators of the vehicle, said load responsive means comprising a main parameterisable electronic braking control unit with a main configuration memory for storing braking parameters particular to the vehicle for control of vehicle brake force according to vehicle loading a further electronic vehicle management control unit including a further configuration memory for storing management parameters particular to management of the vehicle and wherein said main control unit includes additional electronic storage memory wherein said parameters particular to management of the vehicle are also retainable and means operable to effect entry of said management parameters from said additional memory to a configuration memory of an unparameterised electronic control unit when substituted for said vehicle management control unit. 
     
     
       10. A trailer vehicle braking system as in  claim 9  wherein the braking system is a compressed air system.